A 31-YEAR-OLD father of two has been remanded in custody after he changed his plea to guilty over the murder of his 20-year-old girlfriend, who was found with stab wounds at her home in Co Tipperary less than a year ago.
Kevin Prendergast, Knockeen, Grange, Clonmel, Tipperary, admitted the murder of Joanne Mangan at Ballynamuddagh, Clonmel on October 16th, 2007. His plea came when he was rearraigned at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork yesterday.
Tom Creed SC, prosecuting, applied to the court for an adjournment. This was sought to allow him take necessary instructions in respect of a second charge against Mr Prendergast of assault causing serious harm to Edmund Mangan on the same occasion.
Mr Justice Paul Carney said that it seemed to be a reasonable application given the circumstances.
He adjourned the matter until 11am today and remanded Mr Prendergast in custody to appear in court again this morning.